Flood-gate



L. L. GRAY.

(No Model.)

FLOOD GATE.

Patented Mar. 3, 1891 IQQQJJ'FIZP L e e L. Gray THE mums PETERS co., mo'rmuruu, mswmmuw, u. c.

Nrrno STATES LEE L. GRAY, OF VIOLA, ARKANSAS.

FLOOD GATE.'

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 447,679, dated March 3, 1891.

Application filed April 16, 1890. Serial No. 348,157. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LEE L. GRAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Viola, in the county of Fulton and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flood-Gates; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in flood-gates which are so constructed as to withstand great strain; and it consists in the features of construction to be hereinafter described, and then particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved gate in position. Fig. 2 is aperspective view of a portion of my gate, showing the position assumed when relieved of strain.

A A represent two posts, and B B two cylindrical heads having chains 1) attached to their ends and made fast to the posts, thus securing the heads to the posts. Projecting from the under sides of these heads are a series of pendentbars 0, which are adapted to have their lower ends submerged in the water.

In arranging the heads of the gates I place them respectively on opposite sides of the posts, so that they may be secured separately to the posts and permitted to swing up in a horizontal position when undue pressure is brought to bear on the bars 0 by the presence of accumulated debris.

The natural tendency of the gates is to assume the position shown in Fig. 1, and to prevent their being thrown up to a horizontal position by an ordinary current of Water I employ a stop that will yield only under a heavy or strong current, constructed as herein shown. I form a lateral opening d in the end of each head, through which is passed a breakable pin D, preferably of wood, connecting the two heads and forming such yielding stop. This pin is fitted loosely in the openings in the heads and extends across the space between them.

.The operation is as follows: When undue pressure is brought on the bars, the heads are bound tightly against the post, and as the pressure increases the strain on the wooden pin becomes greater-and eventually breaks the same, permitting the gates to swing to a horizontal position and the debris to pass under. lVhen it is desired again to insert a pin, the handle F is pressed down, forcing the head back into alignment with the head on the opposite side of the post and permitting the pin to be inserted. I have shown a handle on but one of the heads; but in practice I shall bore a seat in the other head, in 6 3 which a handle may be placed when necessity requires.

It is obvious that the gates may be placed in reverse order with the heads resting below the water.

'The advantage of having two sets of bars on different heads is that the bars against which the water strikes first are borne slightly downstream until theystrike or pass between the rear bars, the pin D or the bars themselves springing slightly to permit this movement, and the rear bars are then brought into play to assist in resisting the pressure exerted. When such pressure becomes too great, the device will give way, as above described.

\Vhat I claim is 1. In a flood-gate, the combination, with two upright posts, of two heads placed, respectively, on opposite sides thereof and having depending bars, and a breakable pin pass ing through and connecting the heads, substantially as described.

2. In a flood-gate, the combination, with the supports or posts and two heads having bars thereon, of a breakable pin inserted through the heads for normally holding the same in place, substantially as described.

3. In a flood-gate, the combination, with two upright posts, of a head across the same, chains connecting it thereto so as to permit a partial revolution, bars depending from said head, and a breakable pin standing parallel with the current, one end passing through the head and its other end fixed, substantially as described.

4. In a flood-gate, the combination, with two upright posts, of a head across the same,

I0 a breakable pin holding said bars against movement by and in the direction of a gentle current, but yielding under a strong one, substantially as hereinbefore described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEE L. GRAY.

"Witnesses:

L. A. BRITTAIN, C. P. CAGLE. 

